From May 21st to 23rd, 2025, HERITΛGE and the Archaeological Museum of Mesara  welcomed partners from across Europe for the second international AHEAD project Study Visit, a key milestone in the project’s mission to foster innovative, audience-centred cultural experiences.  The three-day gathering hosted by the Museum (the project’s Greek Hub), proved a dynamic space for reflection, testing, and exchange of ideas across borders and communities.

The AHEAD team along with local heritage professionals and Elektra Angelopoulou – the artist selected to co-create work for the Greek hub- worked to validate and give feedback on the prototypes developed through the AHEAD methodology — a process designed to help cultural institutions understand their audiences, co-create with them, and embed those practices into their operations.

Two Prototypes, Two Publics

The Greek Hub focused on two distinct but equally vital local audiences: children and adults, engaging each group in a meaningful journey through AHEAD’s empathise–define–ideate–prototype–test framework.

Prototype I: Children’s Voices in the Museum

HERITΛGE and the Museum partnered with two local primary schools to involve young learners in the creative process. With the participation of artist/performer Elektra Angelopoulou, and through structured activities aligned with the AHEAD methodology, the children explored the museum’s collection and selected their favourite objects.From these choices, the children developed their own narratives — imaginative stories, reflections, and personal interpretations inspired by the artefacts. 

In centering children’s voices, the museum embraces storytelling not just as education, but as connection — bridging past and present through creativity, wonder, and the eyes of a new generation. 

Prototype II: Community, Connection, and Co-governance

In parallel, HERITΛGE invited local adults to participate in a series of reflective workshops, beginning with the sharing of memories, lived experiences, and deep-rooted connections to the Messara landscape — a place where archaeology, history, and daily life are inextricably linked.

These sessions revealed a strong sense of local pride, but also a disconnect: many felt the museum, though geographically close, was distant in spirit — shaped by state institutions without enough input from those who live nearby. In response, the prototype developed with this audience is the creation of a “Friends of the Museum of Mesara” Association.

This initiative aims to:
– Strengthen community engagement with the museum
– Amplify local voices in decision-making processes
– Support the museum’s role in driving tourism and sustainable local growth
– Provide a formal channel for co-creating future experiences and exhibitions

From Testing to Transformation

Both prototypes were presented to AHEAD consortium members during the Study Visit. Feedback sessions, held at the Archaeological Museum and visits to the area and its archaeological sites Gortyna and Phaistos, allowed partners to gain and exchange insights, and consider how these approaches might be adapted across other contexts.

The feedback underscored the importance of:

• Deep listening and long-term community involvement
• Rethinking traditional exchanges between museums and local communities
• Fostering sustainable links between heritage, education, and local development
• Working with the AHEAD methodology and returning to it as often as necessary throughout the lifetime of a project.

The prototypes — still in development — will be officially launched in September 2025, during a dedicated event that will also feature a site-specific performance by Elektra Angelopoulou, created in collaboration with the Mesara community.

Looking Ahead

This second Study Visit demonstrated the power of co-creation, memory, and local agency in shaping meaningful cultural heritage experiences. By validating the Greek Hub’s work and drawing lessons from the field, partners left Messara not only inspired, but equipped with ideas they could bring back to their own communities.

Next up for AHEAD: Study Visit 3 in Altamira, Spain — where a new chapter of audience-centred innovation is already unfolding.

AHEAD is co-funded by the European Union. To learn more about the AHEAD methodology or how to join the AHEAD network visit the project website and explore the learning resources, manifesto, and upcoming events.

Από τις 21 έως τις 23 Μαΐου 2025, το HERITΛGE και το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μεσαράς υποδέχθηκαν εταίρους από όλη την Ευρώπη για τη δεύτερη διεθνή Επίσκεψη Μελέτης του έργου AHEAD — ένα βασικό ορόσημο στην αποστολή του έργου για την προώθηση καινοτόμων, προσανατολισμένων στο κοινό πολιτιστικών εμπειριών. Η συνάντηση, που φιλοξενήθηκε από το HERITΛGE και το Μουσείο (τον ελληνικό κόμβο του έργου), αποδείχθηκε ένας δυναμικός χώρος στοχασμού, δοκιμών και ανταλλαγής ιδεών μεταξύ συνόρων και κοινοτήτων.

Η ομάδα του AHEAD, μαζί με τοπικούς επαγγελματίες του πολιτισμού και την Ηλέκτρα Αγγελοπούλου — την καλλιτέχνιδα που επελέγη για να συνδημιουργήσει έργο για τον ελληνικό κόμβο — εργάστηκαν για την επιβεβαίωση και αξιολόγηση των πρωτοτύπων που αναπτύχθηκαν μέσω της μεθοδολογίας AHEAD, μιας διαδικασίας σχεδιασμένης να βοηθήσει τα πολιτιστικά ιδρύματα να κατανοήσουν το κοινό τους, να συνδημιουργήσουν μαζί του και να ενσωματώσουν αυτές τις πρακτικές στις λειτουργίες τους.

Δύο Πρωτότυπα, Δύο Κοινά

Ο ελληνικός κόμβος επικεντρώθηκε σε δύο διαφορετικά αλλά εξίσου σημαντικά τοπικά κοινά: παιδιά και ενήλικες, εμπλέκοντας την κάθε ομάδα σε μια ουσιαστική διαδρομή μέσα από τα στάδια κατανόηση – ορισμός – ιδέες – πρωτοτυποποίηση – δοκιμή της μεθοδολογίας AHEAD.

Πρωτότυπο Ι: Οι φωνές των παιδιών στο μουσείο

Το HERITΛGE και το Μουσείο συνεργάστηκαν με δύο τοπικά δημοτικά σχολεία για να εμπλέξουν μικρούς μαθητές στη δημιουργική διαδικασία. Με τη συμμετοχή της καλλιτέχνιδας/ερμηνεύτριας Ηλέκτρας Αγγελοπούλου και μέσα από δομημένες δραστηριότητες ευθυγραμμισμένες με τη μεθοδολογία AHEAD, τα παιδιά εξερεύνησαν τη συλλογή του μουσείου και επέλεξαν τα αγαπημένα τους αντικείμενα. Από αυτές τις επιλογές, τα παιδιά ανέπτυξαν τις δικές τους αφηγήσεις — φανταστικές ιστορίες, σκέψεις και προσωπικές ερμηνείες εμπνευσμένες από τα εκθέματα.

Εστιάζοντας στις φωνές των παιδιών, το μουσείο αγκαλιάζει την αφήγηση όχι απλώς ως εκπαίδευση, αλλά ως σύνδεση — γεφυρώνοντας το παρελθόν και το παρόν μέσα από τη δημιουργικότητα, τη φαντασία και το βλέμμα της νέας γενιάς.

Πρωτότυπο ΙΙ: Κοινότητα, σύνδεση και συν-διακυβέρνηση

Παράλληλα, το HERITΛGE προσκάλεσε ενήλικες κατοίκους της περιοχής να συμμετάσχουν σε μια σειρά εργαστηρίων στοχασμού, ξεκινώντας με τη μοιρασιά αναμνήσεων, βιωμάτων και βαθιάς σύνδεσης με το τοπίο της Μεσαράς — μια περιοχή όπου η αρχαιολογία, η ιστορία και η καθημερινή ζωή είναι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένες.

Οι συνεδρίες ανέδειξαν ένα ισχυρό αίσθημα τοπικής υπερηφάνειας αλλά και αποστασιοποίησης: πολλοί ένιωσαν πως, παρότι το μουσείο βρίσκεται κοντά τους, τους είναι «ξένο» — διαμορφωμένο κυρίως από κρατικούς φορείς χωρίς επαρκή συμβολή από τους ίδιους. Σε απάντηση, το πρωτότυπο που συνδημιουργήθηκε με αυτήν την ομάδα είναι η ίδρυση ενός Συλλόγου Φίλων του Μουσείου Μεσαράς.

Η πρωτοβουλία στοχεύει:
– Στην ενίσχυση της σύνδεσης της κοινότητας με το μουσείο
– Στην ενδυνάμωση της φωνής των πολιτών στις διαδικασίες λήψης αποφάσεων
– Στην υποστήριξη του ρόλου του μουσείου ως καταλύτη για τον τουρισμό και τη βιώσιμη τοπική ανάπτυξη
– Στη δημιουργία ενός θεσμικού διαύλου για τη συνδημιουργία μελλοντικών εμπειριών και εκθέσεων

Από τη δοκιμή στον μετασχηματισμό

Και τα δύο πρωτότυπα παρουσιάστηκαν στα μέλη του δικτύου AHEAD κατά τη διάρκεια της Επίσκεψης Μελέτης. Συνεδρίες ανατροφοδότησης πραγματοποιήθηκαν στο Μουσείο και σε επισκέψεις στα αρχαιολογικά σημεία της περιοχής — Γόρτυνα και Φαιστό — επιτρέποντας στους εταίρους να ανταλλάξουν εμπειρίες και να σκεφτούν πώς μπορούν να προσαρμόσουν αυτές τις προσεγγίσεις στο δικό τους πλαίσιο.

Η ανατροφοδότηση ανέδειξε τη σημασία των εξής:

• Βαθιάς ακρόασης και μακροπρόθεσμης δέσμευσης με τις κοινότητες
• Επαναπροσδιορισμού των σχέσεων μουσείων – τοπικών κοινωνιών
• Ανάπτυξης σταθερών δεσμών μεταξύ πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς, εκπαίδευσης και τοπικής ανάπτυξης
• Συνεχούς χρήσης και επαναφοράς στη μεθοδολογία AHEAD καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια ζωής ενός έργου

Τα πρωτότυπα — που βρίσκονται ακόμη σε εξέλιξη — θα παρουσιαστούν επίσημα τον Σεπτέμβριο 2025, στο πλαίσιο ειδικής εκδήλωσης που θα περιλαμβάνει και μια  περφόρμανς της Ηλέκτρας Αγγελοπούλου, δημιουργημένη σε συνεργασία με την κοινότητα της Μεσαράς.

Το έργο AHEAD χρηματοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Μάθετε περισσότερα στην ιστοσελίδα του έργου.

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In February 2025, Crete became a vibrant hub for cultural dialogue and creative collaboration through two dynamic AHEAD project activities: the AHEAD Talk at the Archaeological Museum of Mesara and the third AHEAD Lab, held as part of our ongoing mission to foster accessible and participatory heritage experiences.

HERITΛGE is proud to be an active member of AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development), a  project funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe initiative to give heritage managers the skills and knowledge to held their institutions generate economic sustainability and local growth while  widening access and participation to new audiences and local communities.

AHEAD Talk: Memory, Meaning, and Messara’s Cultural Wealth

On February 14th, the Archaeological Museum of Mesara that serves as the project’s Greek Hub opened its doors to a diverse group of heritage professionals, educators, community members, and local stakeholders for the AHEAD Talk. Hosted by HERITΛGE and supported by the AHEAD consortium, the event focused on cultural heritage engagement and audience development, with a spotlight on the unique cultural landscape of Mesara.

Speakers included  Aris Anagnostopoulos and Roula Gkika from HERITΛGE, artist Elektra Angelopoulou (who has been selected to co-create a piece of work for the Greek hub in collaboration with local communities, Antonis Papadakis from the Archaeological Museum of Mesara, and local educator Nikos Andreadakis. Speakershared inspiring insights on:

• The aims and impact of the AHEAD initiative

• Strategies for community-driven heritage projects

• Art as a connector between archaeological sites and the public

• Public archaeology and the use of comics for storytelling

• Transforming museums into interactive, child-friendly spaces

Beyond the formal presentations, the event came alive through the audience’s contributions—personal stories and heartfelt memories of Mesara’s rich heritage that resonated deeply with all present. The talk fostered meaningful exchange, laying the groundwork for future collaboration between institutions and communities across Crete.

AHEAD Lab 3: Ideate! A Creative Leap in Audience Engagement

In parallel, Mesara also hosted the third AHEAD Lab, titled Ideate! that focused on reimagining how audiences interact with cultural heritage. Building on the themes raised during the Talk, the Lab brought together artists, archaeologists, educators, and local residents for a series of hands-on workshops and co-creation sessions.

Participants explored new methods of engaging audiences—especially young people—through artistic interpretation, participatory storytelling, and site-specific installations. The lab not only generated creative outputs but also deepened local involvement, highlighting the power of collaborative design in shaping inclusive cultural experiences.

Together, the AHEAD Talk and Lab in Crete demonstrated the transformative potential of dialogue, memory, and creativity in heritage work. By listening to communities and co-creating new forms of engagement, AHEAD continues to push the boundaries of how we connect with the past—and with each other.

Find out more about AHEAD on the project’s website.

HERITΛGE in co-operation with the Archaeological Museum of Mesara in Greece held the first two labs EMPATHISE & DEFINE of the AHEAD program for the Greek hub on December 20-21, 2024. AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) is an EU-funded program that aims to give cultural heritage professionals the tools to develop audiences using innovative approaches.

The labs marked a significant milestone in capacity building and following a series of intensive seminars. They provided a safe and collaborative space for heritage professionals, artists, and audiences to co-create innovative strategies for audience engagement and development.

Aris Anagnostopoulos, HERITΛGE head of Community Engagement, shared his expertise on audience engagement, guiding participants through the process of conducting empathetic interviews with local communities and students. His insights set the stage for meaningful interactions and the development of actionable steps to connect with target audiences effectively.

The enthusiastic participation of the museum staff made this initiative truly rewarding from day one.

Lab 1, focused on “Empathize,” featured two key phases:

• Step into My Shoes – Museum Perspective, which explored the museum’s understanding of its audience.
• Step into My Shoes – Audience Perspective, which shifted the focus to how audiences perceive the museum.

 

Lab 2 “Define” focused on conducting empathetic interviews and defining the specific needs of the targeted audiences. This workshop encouraged participants to engage directly with primary school students and the local community (including parents) to gain deeper insights into their perspectives, expectations, and experiences. Through active listening and thoughtful dialogue, the lab laid the groundwork for identifying key audience needs and developing meaningful, audience-centered approaches for cultural engagement.

With primary school students and the local community (including parents) as the target groups, these labs fostered open dialogue and mutual understanding.

Through these workshops and the broader AHEAD program,HERITΛGE and its AHEAD partners strive to build and sustain meaningful relationships between archaeological sites and their audiences, fostering connections rooted in empathy and shared experiences.

These labs are just the beginning of a six-lab series designed to transform how cultural heritage professionals engage with their communities. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the months ahead!

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

Elektra Angelopoulou /Photo by Thalia Galanopoulou

 

HERITΛGE in collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Messara is very pleased to announce that artist Elektra Angelopoulou has been selected as the artist to create a participatory work of art as part of the AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) project.

AHEAD is co-funded by the EU’s Creative Europe program and aims to transform how the public interacts with cultural heritage by providing heritage managers with the tools to create new participatory and inclusive experiences. The project brings together three cultural heritage sites in Greece, Italy and Spain, where selected artists will collaborate with local communities to create experiential works of art. 

Elektra Angelopoulou has a rich background in archaeology and the performing arts and was chosen among dozens of artists, originating from or residing in Crete, to work with the project’s Greek hub to create an innovative and participatory art project at the Archaeological Museum of Messara. Through this work, Electra will explore new ways of experiencing and connecting with cultural heritage.

The artist will collaborate with two key target groups: primary school students and the local community. Through a series of co-creation workshops, structured using the ACED (Audience-Centered Experience Design) methodology, she will develop a participatory work of art that strengthens the public’s connection to the museum and its heritage.

The goal is to create an open and participatory experience, which will highlight the archaeological site as a living, creative space where history meets the present.

“My intention, every time I come into contact with an archaeological site, is to show what some of us ‘see’ in our imagination when we look at stones, vases, soil, sculptures – that is, an entire world – to those who have not been able to see it that way until now,” the artist says. “Museums and archaeological sites are changing, turning towards local communities and taking steps to become an integral, living part of them. In this context, my goal is to connect people with the object.”

Training

HERITΛGE celebrated a record-breaking milestone in 2024, training over 1,000 heritage caretakers in a single year. Participants engaged in a wide range of programs, including three-day workshops conducted online and in person, two annual summer schools focusing on digital tools and community engagement, and specialized training tailored to specific regions, topics and organizations. These included programs on Street Art in The Gambia (which also produced a new mural for the country’s National Centre for the Arts and Culture), Heritage interpretation in Rwanda, Project Management for US Heritage Managers, and an introduction to Fundraising and Project Management in Iraq.

Heritage Threatened by Conflict, Natural Disasters, and Climate Change

HERITΛGE continued its mission to protect heritage at risk worldwide, strengthening existing partnerships and forging new ones. In Ukraine, the Digital Museum project that was funded by the Creative Europe’s Culture Helps initiative, trained museum professionals to use digital tools, ensuring operational continuity and community access during wartime. Simultaneously, the two-year Architecture in Times of War: The Ukrainian Model  initiative – delivered in cooperation with the Kharkiv School of Architecture and Skeiron and the support of the US Embassy in Kyiv –  is equipping students and educators with digital skills to document, preserve, and restore architectural heritage.

In Türkiye, HERITΛGE published comprehensive reports documenting historic sites affected by the February 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes. These reports include protection recommendations and advocate for enhanced cultural heritage recovery in affected provinces. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a new project launched to safeguard the early Buddhist heritage of the Swat Valley, an area under threat from conflict, climate change, and rapid development. In Yemen, efforts continued to preserve the unique earthen architecture of Shibam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site struggling under the weight of a decade-long civil war.

HERITΛGE in Africa

The HerMaP Africa initiative, generously supported by the Mellon Foundation, has delivered significant impact. Over 75 small heritage projects received funding, alongside the awarding of several fellowships and the training of more than 370 heritage managers in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Rwanda. New partnerships were also established to further these efforts. In The Gambia, HERITΛGE’s ongoing HerMaP Gambia initiative, co-funded by the European Union, provided training to enhance the country’s culture and tourism sectors. The program also facilitated a parliamentary delegation study tour in Greece and partnered with the NCAC to launch the country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Register, a project supported by UNESCO.

Giving Heritage Managers New Tools

HERITΛGE made strides in empowering heritage managers with innovative tools and practices. The EU-funded SHIFT project advanced its work to make heritage more accessible and inclusive, with a consortium meeting and project presentation held in Athens. The AHEAD initiative, co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe program, introduced seminars (now available online) and launched a community-based artistic project in Crete, with similar activities planned for Italy and Spain. HERITΛGE also announced the launch of EMPATHS, a project designed to promote participatory heritage interpretation through new tools and training resources.

Creating Networks, Connecting Professionals

Collaboration and community-building remained central to HERITΛGE’s mission in 2024. The organization continued developing Greece’s Living Heritage Network, supported by the Ministry of Culture, with HERITΛGE actively contributing to its digital and physical infrastructure, member recruitment, and communications. Additionally, the newly established AHEAD Network brings together heritage managers and community members who share a vision of audience engagement and participation.

Knowledge Sharing

HERITΛGE emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing through active participation in global events and publications. Director Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis delivered a keynote at the Choc Des Legendes Conference in Ghana, held under the auspices of the country’s First Lady. The organization also sponsored PastForward 2024, the annual conference of the US National Trust for Historic Preservation. Other highlights included workshops and presentations at the 30th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists and the ReImagining Public Collections conference in Hungary.

HERITΛGE contributed to a Horizon Europe-funded policy brief on digital cultural heritage and shared expertise through webinars, seminars, and public lectures. Notable online resources include audience development webinars from the AHEAD initiative and webinars on architectural preservation in Ukraine.

1st Global Staff Summit

Reflecting the growth in HERITΛGE’s activities and team, the organization hosted its inaugural Global Staff Summit in September. This online event brought together staff working in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas , marking the beginning of an annual tradition to foster collaboration and alignment across our expanding network.